Industry Climate change is seriously impacting global coffee production, from bean quality to yield and production costs. Here are 6 of the most common and important things coffee growers and coffee lovers need to know about this threat. 

Climate Change on Quality 

As temperatures rise, coffee ripens faster, leading to a decrease in quality. Coffee grown in low-lying areas with high temperatures often has lower cup quality than coffee grown in higher areas. The beans are usually more porous, may be larger, but the quality is significantly reduced. It is predicted that temperatures could rise 3-5°C by the end of this century, forcing coffee-growing regions to move to higher altitudes each year to maintain quality. 

Climate Change on Yield 

High temperatures occurring during sensitive stages such as flowering and fruiting will seriously affect yields, especially when combined with reduced rainfall or periods of drought. Studies show that increased temperatures during the flowering and fruiting period cause star-shaped flowers in Arabica coffee and pollination disorders in Robusta, leading to many unformed beans. When temperatures exceed optimal levels, photosynthetic efficiency decreases, dry matter accumulation is poor, and ultimately yields decline. 

Pest and Disease Outbreaks and Spread 

High temperatures create favorable conditions for the development and spread of several pests and diseases to previously unaffected areas. Problems such as fruit borers, stem borers, nematodes, rust disease, and many others will increase with high temperatures. In Vietnam, many new pests and diseases have emerged, such as coffee leaf-eating caterpillars, mealybugs, and green aphids, causing significant damage. Pest and disease management and control in the future will be much more complex and costly. 

Prolonged Drought

Longer dry seasons in irrigated coffee-growing regions will exacerbate the situation. Prolonged droughts increase irrigation needs, leading to increased water use, energy consumption, and irrigation labor, as well as lowering groundwater levels and increasing irrigation costs. Insufficient irrigation damages plants: shoots and flower buds wither, young fruits drop; and certain pests such as mealybugs and green aphids thrive.

The Impact of Irregular Rainfall

Unseasonal rain during the flowering period affects fruit sets, especially for Robusta, which requires obligatory cross-pollination. Conversely, rain during the harvest season complicates the drying process and affects quality. In the Central Highlands, coffee usually ripens in November - early December; if rain continues until the end of December, harvesting and drying will be difficult, leading to reduced bean quality. Late rain also slows or reduces flower bud differentiation, affecting the yield of the next crop. 

El Niño Phenomenon and Extreme Events

The El Niño phenomenon occurs every 3-6 years, usually lasting 9-12 months but can extend up to 18 months, suddenly impacting weather worldwide. This phenomenon reduces rainfall while increasing solar radiation and temperature. This has reduced production in some areas, particularly where rainfall is below 1500mm/year, increasing the risk of blackened, small, and defective coffee beans. Other extreme events such as storms, tornadoes, hot, dry winds (above 40°C), and frost also cause serious damage.

Goce Coffee: Sustainable Quality in the Age of Climate Change 

In the face of climate change challenges, choosing coffee sources from responsible suppliers and adopting sustainable farming practices is more important than ever. Goce Coffee offers high-quality coffee from carefully selected growing regions, with environmentally friendly production processes. 

Each cup of Goce coffee not only provides a superb taste experience but also contributes to the sustainable future of the coffee industry.

>>> Order now: Goce Coffee for free consultation and special offers today. 

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but is happening right before our eyes, directly impacting every cup of coffee we enjoy each day. The six issues mentioned above are just some of the most obvious impacts among the many challenges facing the global coffee industry. From coffee growers in Vietnam's Central Highlands to consumers around the world, everyone has a responsibility to protect and sustainably develop this precious resource.